**Welsh Reform UK Councillor Faces Scrutiny After Voicemail Comments About Pakistani Community**
A Welsh councillor representing the Reform UK party has come under considerable criticism following the emergence of a voicemail in which he makes contentious remarks regarding the Pakistani community. Councillor Andrew Barry, recently affiliated with Reform UK and also serving on Merthyr Tydfil Council, is at the centre of the controversy after leaving the message on the phone of an ITV journalist.
The voicemail, left on Wednesday, 18 June, has sparked public outcry and raised wider questions about attitudes in local politics towards ethnic minorities and community cohesion. In the recording, Councillor Barry is reportedly heard discussing housing and benefits, referencing immigrants and the Pakistani community in a manner that many have deemed offensive and insensitive.
In the message, Barry can be heard lamenting, “They’re putting the immigrants in the HMOs. They’re everywhere,” before referencing Pakistani families and making further statements about cultural differences and community relations. References to “tribal” behaviour were made, and Barry claimed, “Those Pakistanis are tribal. They don’t just dislike us, they dislike Sikhs…” While some portions of the recording remain indistinct or inaudible, the language used has drawn condemnation across the political spectrum.
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council responded quickly to the incident, condemning Barry’s comments and confirming that a formal review would be launched. A council spokesperson reiterated their commitment to inclusivity, underlining, “As a local authority we are supportive of an inclusive and diverse culture and do not condone any comments that could be deemed offensive to any group.” The council further highlighted that all elected members receive mandatory training on equality, respect, and the Councillor Code of Conduct. “A formal investigation process will now commence,” the spokesperson added.
Despite mounting criticism, Reform UK has moved to defend Councillor Barry, suggesting that the remarks have been “taken out of context”. In a statement provided to ITV, a Reform UK spokesperson said, “The private conversation involving Councillor Andrew Barry has been taken out of context with the recording only picking up snippets of the discussion.” The party argued that the topic of discussion was not intended to be inflammatory but to highlight concerns about the failure of multiculturalism and alleged tensions sparked by international conflicts spilling over into British communities.
“Past riots in cities like Leicester and Birmingham show these are serious and legitimate concerns,” the party further commented. Reform UK maintained their stance in support of open debate on issues of integration and community cohesion, clarifying, “We reject hate or discrimination in any form but will not shy away from addressing difficult issues affecting communities across the UK.”
This is not the first time Councillor Barry’s public statements have drawn negative attention. Prior investigations uncovered Facebook posts in which Barry referred to Puerto Rico in derogatory terms, raising further questions about his suitability to participate in diverse and modern local governance.
Councillor Barry’s association with Reform UK is relatively recent, only having joined the party earlier this month after serving as an independent. His decision to join, announced by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage during a keynote address in Port Talbot, was described by Barry as driven by a desire for “the only opposition in Wales.” He expressed frustration with the mechanics of council decision-making, lamenting, “The people making the decisions on those hundreds of thousands of pounds are unelected members of the council.”
The controversy arises at a pivotal moment for Reform UK, as the party has enjoyed a recent surge in public support. A poll conducted by Find Out Now placed the party ahead in the upcoming Senedd elections with 29% of the vote, followed by Plaid Cymru and Labour, respectively.
Councillor Barry’s comments, and the party’s public handling of the situation, have ignited debate on the responsibilities of elected officials to uphold standards of inclusivity, and on how challenging conversations about integration and multiculturalism should be managed in the public sphere. The formal investigation by Merthyr Tydfil Council will run its course, with many watching to see if the episode marks a turning point in the conversation about race and politics in Wales.
The ramifications are likely to be felt both within the local community and more broadly, with the case serving as a stark reminder of the enduring challenges facing political parties—and the public expectations of those who represent them.